By Amanda Parrish, Staff Writer
With flowing vocals and hammering instruments, Florence and the Machine’s latest single, “What the Water Gave Me,” introduces a promising new album.
A strong, enchanting singer, Florence Welch is yet again on her way to pushing this single to the top of the charts. The song, released Aug. 24, is a positive introduction into the group’s upcoming album, to be released Nov. 7.
Best labeled as “alternative” by iTunes’ all-knowing genre generator, Florence’s sound magically intertwines deep drumbeats and dancing melodies of harps, pipes and chime-like instruments.
Florence and the Machine’s debut album, “Lungs,” was released in July 2009.
Since then, the band’s distinct, ethereal instruments and vocals have gained popularity. Pounding and energetic, their song “Dog Days are Over” was featured in one of last year’s films, “Eat, Pray, Love.”
The band also released an alternative to their first album called “Lungs – The B-Side” in February. Featuring a wider variety of strong melodies, “The B-Side” produced more popular songs, such as “Heavy in Your Arms,” which was included in the “Twilight Saga: Eclipse” movie soundtrack.
With haunting strings and desperate drum beats, “Bird Song” is a song with an artistic musical approach. Listeners feel the sweet bird song drifting through the airwaves as well as the terrifying chaos of a cage.
Featuring the same powerful sound of their first album, Florence and the Machine yet again produced a promising album.
Their newest musical addition also appears to follow through on their distinct style. Hauntingly passionate, Florence demands the full attention of listeners — body and spirit.
“What the Water Gave Me,” their newest single, provides vocals and instruments that work as one to create a beautifully emotional piece.
As a steady beat rises over the introduction with a shivering chime, a gradual climb of voice and instrument begins. A climax is approached and quickly shied away from while the beat returns and again the rise starts. The height is reached and a cacophony of instruments peak at the top and again drop off into the valleys of sound. Vocals soar, drawing the listener higher and higher, then slowly level off. The vocals and rhythm descends and ends with a light, airy sound like floating on a gentle river.
Strong and powerful, the new single brings hope for an even more entrancing Florence and the Machine album.
